San Carlos councilman Ronald Collins spent a good part of Thursday tweeting about the Supreme Court's decision to uphold Obamacare.
What Collins tweeted:
"As a health insurance agent for almost 31 years, believe me when I say the Supreme Court decision on Obamacare will turn out to be one of the best things that ever happened in this country.
"There are two ways to lower the cost of health care: more efficient delivery of services and cover everybody. There is no way around it.
"Whenever I have asked the question of opponents of this healthcare law 'what is your alternative?,' the response I usually get is silence. We have a private delivery system. Private insurers set the rates.
"You want socialized healthcare? That's called Medicare, and not a single Medicare client of mine has ever complained that they want to get rid ot it. My only complaint is the long implementation period. Much more needs to happen, but this is a good start."
Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) released a statement Thursday applauding the provisions of President Obama's Affordable Care Act, calling it "a victory for all Americans."
She writes:
“The Supreme Court decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act is a victory for every family, including the parents whose children would otherwise be without insurance. This is a victory for seniors who have saved more than $4 billion on their prescription drugs. In 2014, those with pre-existing conditions will no longer be discriminated against by health insurers.
"I am still reading the scope of the Court’s determinations, but the core concept is simple: America wins. Affordable health care is a right, not a privilege.
“The Affordable Care Act is already paying dividends for millions of Americans, including 25 million women who now have access to important preventive services such as mammograms, screenings for cervical cancer, prenatal care, flu and pneumonia shots, and regular well-baby and well-child visits, all without co-pays or other charges.
“Furthermore, starting in 2014, being a woman can no longer be treated as a pre-existing medical condition in the eyes of insurance companies. For example, insurers will be barred from denying coverage for those who have had cesarean sections, survived domestic violence, or who are pregnant.
“Nationwide, health insurers will no longer be able to charge women higher premiums than they charge men of the same age, including regularly charging female nonsmokers more than they would male smokers.
"In short, today marks a turning point in America’s long struggle to make a dream into reality - the dream of affordable health coverage for every American. Work remains, but the goal line is in sight.
“I also want to laud Chief Justice Roberts, who has demonstrated that the Court can be fair and balanced. The Roberts Court has done far more to benefit America than to simply uphold a law."
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